Ryuji's heart was racing.
Hinata is the eldest lady of the Hyuga clan. Although she is somewhat introverted, she is undeniably just and beautiful.
Marrying a rich woman like Hinata would save you decades of hard work. You might even become the head of the Hyuga clan if you work hard enough.
But Ryuji only briefly thought about it before shaking his head slightly.
For Konoha, the coming days will be far from peaceful. The Konoha Crush Plan during the Chunin Exams, Akatsuki's plans, and the Fourth Great Ninja War made everything very dangerous.
If you marry a member of the Hyuga family, you'll become the instructor of the Gentle Fist in the future, making it harder for you to go out and improve your skills. Even due to your relationship with the Hyuga, some people might keep their distance, limiting your growth.
If you can't train properly, it will be even harder for Ryuji to improve his strength.
As for the second option, Ryuji found it more feasible.
In any case, his relationship with the three Hyuga members should improve, and this was a good opportunity to take advantage of teaching and gain more favor.
Now, there was another person in the picture: Hyuga Hanabi.
Hyuga Hanabi is a few years younger than Hinata, but in terms of strength, there isn't much difference. Hinata had lost to her sister in a competition.
Most importantly, Hanabi also possesses the Byakugan. If you keep strengthening your relationship, sooner or later you could obtain another one.
And if you manage to combine four pairs of Byakugan, you might even achieve the legendary Tenseigan!
At that point, not only Konoha but the whole world will tremble.
"I choose the second option!"
Upon hearing Ryuji's response, Hiashi couldn't help but frown and quickly replied:
"Why, do you think Hinata isn't good enough for you? If you accept the first option, I'll give you a pair of Byakugan!"
Ryuji smiled wryly and shook his head.
"I feel that relationships should be cultivated slowly, rather than deciding Hinata's future here with just a simple talk between us. This would be very irresponsible for both Hinata and me!"
[Ding Dong! Hiashi's favor has increased by three points! The favor level is now seventy-four points!]
Hiashi nodded with satisfaction toward Ryuji, his eyes showing more approval.
"Very well. If you have any problems in the future, the Hyuga family will help you resolve them," Hiashi said, clapping lightly. "Take Ryuji to his room so he can rest."
Ryuji followed and arrived at the room. Candles were already lit, and it was clear someone was there.
Without thinking too much, Ryuji opened the door directly.
He saw a woman slowly turn her head. When she saw him, she was startled and quickly hid under the blankets.
"Ryuji-kun, why did you come to my room?"
Ryuji forced a smile as he waved.
"Was I taken to the wrong room?"
"No, Lord Hiashi assigned this room."
"Can we switch rooms?"
The servant smiled slightly and looked toward the courtyard.
"The Hyuga house is already full, so you can only stay here for one night. If you have any objections, you can speak directly with Lord Hiashi."
After saying this, the servant used a substitution technique and disappeared.
Ryuji sighed again.
The Hyuga mansion is huge—how could there not be a single empty room? This seems like one of Hiashi's tactics to marry off Hinata to Ryuji.
And besides, looking for Hiashi now would be useless. Just the maze-like hallways are enough to make him give up for tonight.
While Ryuji hesitated, he suddenly felt a tug on his sleeve.
Ryuji quickly turned to look. At some point, Hinata had come out from under the blanket, her face flushed with embarrassment, while one of her hands shyly pulled on his sleeve.
"Ryuji-kun... if you don't mind, just sleep here..."
After saying this, Hinata's face turned even redder, and she hid under the blanket again, leaving only her head exposed as she secretly peeked at him.
Ryuji smiled wryly.
There was no other choice; he would have to sleep there.
Fortunately, Hiashi hadn't completely sold off his daughter. There was another set of blankets next to Hinata's, which made the situation barely acceptable for Ryuji.
He took off his clothes and slid under the covers. The room's candles went out when a gentle breeze blew, plunging the space into darkness. All he could hear was Hinata's rapid heartbeat, like a drum, along with her quickened breathing.
Ryuji sighed and smiled helplessly.
It seemed that after raising her affection, Hinata's attitude toward him had completely surpassed what she felt for Uzumaki Naruto. Knowing Hinata's persistent nature, he was certain she would become a faithful follower in the future.
Just as he was about to close his eyes to sleep, he heard a soft murmur, like the hum of a mosquito, beside him.
"Ryuji... Ryuji-kun, why did you help me today?"
Ryuji was confident that Hinata understood his intentions. Otherwise, the affection level wouldn't have increased so much. However, with Hinata's introverted and insecure nature, he knew her mind would keep spinning unless he admitted his true feelings.
"Do you remember what I told you today?"
"Yes... I remember. You said you wanted my father to recognize me," Hinata responded, her voice still as soft as a mosquito's, though now Ryuji could sense a hint of emotion in it.
[Ding Dong! Hinata's affection increased by five points! Affection level is now eighty-one points! The log is available!]
Ryuji's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected a few simple words to increase her affection so much. Hinata was the first kunoichi whose affection level surpassed 80 points.
"Log in Hinata Hyuga!"
[Ding Dong! Hinata Hyuga has successfully logged in! You have obtained the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms! Affection level increased by three points! Affection level is now eighty-four points!]
Ryuji was ecstatic.
The Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms was an extremely powerful Gentle Fist technique. Once the first strike was launched, it was impossible to avoid the following attacks.
Moreover, this technique could seal chakra points. With a series of palm strikes, even if the enemy didn't die, they would completely lose their ability to fight by losing control of their chakra.
The only downside was that Ryuji didn't possess the Byakugan. He wasn't sure if the sealing function of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms would be effective without the Byakugan.
"So... why did you help me, Ryuji-kun? After all, this is the first time we've met," Hinata asked curiously.
Ryuji smiled slightly.
It was true this was their first time meeting in person, but Ryuji had seen Hinata countless times on TV.
Why had he helped her?
Hyuga Neji had asked the same question in the past, but Ryuji couldn't give Hinata the same answer.
"It's late, you should sleep!" Ryuji said, closing his eyes, but the sound of Hinata's heartbeat and her quickened breathing didn't fade. Instead, it intensified.
"Looks like I won't be sleeping well tonight," he thought.
…
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